What to Do With Your Cat When You Go on Holiday: Complete Care Guide
CAT HOLIDAY CARE GUIDE
Going on holiday does not have to be stressful for you or your cat, but their care should be arranged well before you leave. For many cats, staying in their familiar home with a reliable cat sitter is the least disruptive option. A good cattery can also work well for cats that cope comfortably with a change of environment.
Whichever option you choose, your cat still needs regular human care, fresh food and water, clean litter facilities, appropriate medication where required and someone who knows what to do if something goes wrong.
The quick answer
Do not leave a cat completely alone while you go on holiday. If your cat remains at home, arrange for a trusted person to visit at least twice a day. Very young cats, older cats and cats with medical needs may require more frequent care. Alternatively, choose a reputable cattery that is suitable for your individual cat.
What Should You Do With Your Cat When You Go on Holiday?
There are several suitable ways to arrange care for a cat while you are away.
The right option depends on your cat's temperament, health, age and how comfortable they are with unfamiliar people and environments.
01
Cat Sitter Staying in Your Home
Your cat remains in familiar surroundings while someone stays in the property and manages their usual routine.
02
Daily Cat-Sitter Visits
A friend, relative, neighbour or professional sitter visits regularly to feed your cat, clean litter trays, check their health and provide interaction.
03
A Reputable Cattery
Your cat stays at a professional boarding facility where their food, accommodation and daily care are provided.
04
Trusted Friend or Family Member
Someone your cat already knows may either stay at your home or make regular visits while you are away.
For many cats, staying at home is the easiest option. Cats can be strongly attached to their familiar territory and routine, so remaining in their normal environment can reduce the disruption associated with travelling and staying somewhere new.
Is It Better for a Cat to Stay at Home While You're Away?
Often, yes.
Many cats are more comfortable remaining in their familiar home rather than travelling to a different environment.
Staying at home means your cat can continue using their usual:
sleeping places
litter trays
scratching posts
cat tree
feeding areas
hiding places
familiar scents and territory
A cat sitter can then maintain as much of the normal routine as possible.
This may be particularly useful for cats that are nervous around unfamiliar environments or dislike travelling.
How to Choose a Good Cat Sitter
The person looking after your cat is taking responsibility for both your pet and, in many cases, access to your home.
If you are using a professional sitter, do some research before booking.
Look for:
good independent reviews
references
appropriate insurance
experience caring for cats
experience giving medication if your cat requires it
clear arrangements for emergencies
a backup plan if the sitter becomes unavailable
Arrange for the sitter to meet your cat at home before the holiday.
This gives you an opportunity to explain your cat's routine and lets the sitter see where food, medication, litter supplies and the carrier are kept.
How to Choose a Good Cattery
A cattery can be a good alternative when home care is not practical or when your cat already copes comfortably with boarding.
Do not choose solely on price or photographs online.
Visit the facility before making your decision where possible and look at the conditions yourself.
Check Licensing
Ask whether the boarding establishment holds the appropriate licence for its location.
Check Security
Look for secure accommodation and measures designed to prevent cats escaping when staff enter and leave.
Inspect the Accommodation
The area should be clean, comfortable and provide appropriate sleeping, hiding and toileting space.
Ask About Veterinary Care
Find out what happens if your cat becomes unwell and which veterinary practice the cattery uses.
Discuss Medication
If your cat needs regular treatment, confirm that staff can administer it correctly.
Check Vaccination Requirements
Ask which vaccinations and health requirements must be met before your cat can stay.
Good boarding facilities should ask you questions about your cat's diet, behaviour, routine and medical needs rather than treating every cat identically.
Can You Leave a Cat Alone While You Go on Holiday?
A cat should not be left completely unattended for the duration of a holiday.
Even if you use an automatic feeder, water dispenser and pet camera, somebody still needs to physically check your cat regularly.
Food dispensers can malfunction. Water can be spilled. A cat can become ill, injure themselves, become trapped somewhere or develop a problem that cannot be identified properly through a camera.
For a cat staying at home, arrange at least two visits each day. Kittens, elderly cats and cats with medical conditions may need more frequent supervision depending on their individual requirements.
Can I leave my cat alone for a week?
Not without arranging proper care.
A week away requires a responsible person to visit regularly or stay in your home, or your cat should be cared for through another suitable arrangement such as a cattery.
Can an automatic feeder replace a cat sitter?
No.
Automatic feeders can be useful for maintaining meal times, but they should be treated as a convenience alongside human care rather than as a replacement for it.
How to Prepare Your Home Before Going Away
Once your cat-care arrangements are confirmed, prepare the house so the sitter has everything they need.
Remove obvious hazards. Put unsafe foods, medicines, cleaning products, unsuitable plants and anything else your cat could access somewhere secure.
Stock enough food and litter. Leave more than the exact amount you expect to be used in case your journey home is delayed.
Put the carrier somewhere accessible. Your sitter should know where it is in case your cat needs emergency veterinary attention.
Check windows and doors. Make sure the sitter understands which doors, windows and cat flaps your cat normally uses.
Provide a backup key. Consider leaving one with a trusted local person in case the main sitter loses access.
Keep familiar resources in place. Avoid moving beds, scratching posts, litter trays or food stations immediately before leaving unless necessary.
Cat-Sitter Checklist: What Information Should You Leave?
Do not rely on your sitter remembering everything from a conversation.
Leave written instructions somewhere obvious and send a digital copy as well if useful.
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Feeding: food type, quantities and normal meal times
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Water: where bowls or fountains are and how often they should be refreshed
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Litter: tray locations, cleaning routine and waste disposal
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Medication: medication name, dose, timing and administration instructions
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Vet: practice name, telephone number and out-of-hours information
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Emergency contact: your details and another trusted person's contact information
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Carrier: where the cat carrier is stored
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Behaviour: normal habits, hiding places and anything the sitter should avoid
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Outdoor access: exactly what your cat is normally allowed to do
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Home security: alarms, locks and access instructions
Food and Water While You're Away
Ask your sitter to keep your cat's diet and feeding schedule as close to normal as possible.
A holiday is generally not the ideal time to introduce a completely new food unless there is a particular reason for doing so.
Leave enough of your cat's usual food for the whole trip plus a sensible extra amount in case you return later than planned.
Fresh water should remain available at all times.
If your cat normally uses a water fountain, show your sitter how to clean, refill and check it. Providing an additional water bowl can also give your cat a backup source.
Don't Forget the Litter Trays
Litter trays still need regular attention while you are away.
Show the sitter:
where every tray is located
which litter you use
where spare litter is stored
how frequently the trays are normally cleaned
where waste should be disposed of
Avoid changing the litter type or moving the trays immediately before your holiday unless necessary.
Medication, Veterinary Care and Emergencies
If your cat takes medication, make sure your chosen sitter or cattery is comfortable and competent administering it before you book.
Leave clearly written instructions that include:
the medication name
the correct dose
when it should be given
how it is normally administered
what to do if a dose is missed or refused, based on your vet's instructions
Give the carer your veterinary practice's details and make sure they know what to do if they believe your cat needs urgent care.
It is also sensible to discuss emergency-authorisation arrangements with your veterinary practice before travelling, particularly if you will be difficult to contact.
Try to Keep Your Cat's Routine Familiar
Cats can be sensitive to changes in routine, so keeping familiar patterns where practical can make your absence less disruptive.
Ask the sitter to follow normal:
meal times
play routines
litter-cleaning routines
bedtime habits
access to favourite sleeping and hiding places
Familiar bedding can also help maintain a recognisable environment.
If your cat already has a favourite cat tree , scratching post or sleeping area, leave it exactly where it normally sits rather than rearranging the house immediately before you depart.
How to Keep Your Cat Occupied While You're Away
Your cat does not need an entirely new entertainment system simply because you are going on holiday.
Familiar forms of enrichment are usually more useful.
Leave safe resources such as:
their usual scratching posts
a stable cat tree
comfortable beds and hiding areas
safe toys designed for independent play
a secure window-viewing area
Ask your sitter to spend some time playing or interacting with your cat if that is something your cat normally enjoys.
Put unsuitable unattended toys away. Wand toys, strings, ribbons and similar items can present entanglement or swallowing risks and are better reserved for supervised play.
Check Identification and Home Security Before You Leave
Make sure the person caring for your cat understands how your home normally operates.
Check:
which doors and windows must remain closed
whether your cat normally uses a cat flap
where spare keys are kept
how any alarm system works
whether your cat's microchip contact details are current
If your cat is normally allowed outdoors, discuss their routine carefully with the sitter and decide in advance how outdoor access will be managed while you are away.
Do You Need to Leave a Light On for Your Cat?
You generally do not need to leave the house brightly lit throughout your entire holiday.
If you normally use lights during the evening, a timer or smart lighting schedule can maintain a more familiar household pattern without leaving every light permanently switched on.
More important than constant lighting is ensuring your cat can safely access their food, water, litter trays and resting areas.
Should You Use a Pet Camera?
A camera can provide useful reassurance and may help you see whether your cat is eating, sleeping or using particular areas of the home.
However, it should be treated as an extra rather than a care solution.
A camera cannot refill an empty water bowl, clean a litter tray, examine an injured cat or take them to the vet.
Physical visits from a responsible person remain essential.
What Should You Do When You Come Home?
Some cats will greet you immediately. Others may appear completely unimpressed by your return.
Let your cat decide how quickly they want to interact.
Return to the usual feeding, play and household routine and ask the sitter whether they noticed anything unusual while you were away.
Pay attention to:
appetite
drinking
litter-tray use
mobility
grooming
unusual hiding
significant changes in vocalisation or behaviour
If your cat appears unwell or you notice a significant unexplained change, contact your vet.
Holiday Cat-Care Checklist
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Cat sitter or cattery booked well in advance
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Sitter has met your cat before departure
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Enough food, litter and medication for the trip plus extra
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Vet and emergency contact details provided
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Written feeding and medication instructions left behind
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Carrier placed somewhere accessible
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Hazards removed from accessible areas
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Doors, windows and cat-flap arrangements explained
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Microchip contact information checked
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Safe toys, beds, scratching areas and hiding places left available
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Backup sitter or local contact arranged
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Travel delays included in your supply planning
COMMON QUESTIONS
Going on Holiday Without Your Cat: FAQs
What should I do with my cat when I go on holiday?
For many cats, staying at home with a reliable cat sitter is the least disruptive option. A reputable cattery may also be suitable depending on your cat's temperament, health and previous experience.
Can I leave my cat alone for a week?
No. Arrange regular care from a responsible person or suitable boarding. A cat staying at home should be physically checked at least twice daily, and some cats need more frequent care.
How often should a cat sitter visit?
At least twice a day is a sensible minimum for a healthy adult cat staying at home. Kittens, senior cats and cats with medical conditions may need more frequent visits or someone staying in the home.
Is a cat sitter better than a cattery?
It depends on the individual cat. Many cats prefer remaining in their familiar home, while some cope well with a reputable cattery. Consider your cat's personality, health and previous response to travel and unfamiliar environments.
Can I rely on an automatic feeder while I'm away?
An automatic feeder can help maintain meal times but should not replace human visits. Someone still needs to check your cat, their food and water, litter trays and general wellbeing.
Will my cat miss me when I go on holiday?
Cats respond differently to changes in their household. Maintaining familiar surroundings, routines and resources can help minimise disruption while you are away.
Should I leave the television or radio on?
It is not essential. If low background sound forms part of your cat's normal routine, you can discuss maintaining it with your sitter, but familiar care, safe resources and regular human checks are much more important.
Should I leave my cat's usual bed and cat tree out?
Yes. Keeping familiar sleeping, scratching and climbing areas in their usual positions can help maintain the normal environment while you are away.
The Bottom Line
The most important part of going on holiday as a cat owner is arranging reliable human care before you leave.
For many cats, remaining at home with a trusted sitter is the least disruptive arrangement. Others may cope perfectly well in a carefully chosen cattery.
Whichever option you choose, leave clear instructions, enough supplies, veterinary and emergency contact details and a plan for unexpected problems.
Keep your cat's routine and familiar environment as consistent as possible, and use automatic feeders, cameras and other technology only as useful extras — not replacements for somebody physically checking that your cat is safe and well.
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